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🇹🇼 Taiwan /Culture & Society

Nostalgia for Dragon Boat Race in Polluted River Sparks Calls for Cleanup

From Liberty Times · () Chinese

Translated from Chinese, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Context piece
  • A 26-year-old photograph showing a dragon boat race in a formerly polluted river in Beidou Township has sparked nostalgia and discussion.
  • Residents recall the event, which required significant effort to overcome the river's poor water quality and pollution.
  • The memory has led to calls for the river's environmental cleanup and the revival of such events.

A 26-year-old photograph has resurfaced, igniting a wave of nostalgia and discussion among residents of Beidou Township in Taiwan. The image captures a dragon boat race held in the Dongluo River, a waterway that was once notoriously polluted.

I want to hold a dragon boat race here.

— Hong Can-minThe former mayor's ambitious declaration that sparked the initial dragon boat race event.

The memory of the event, shared by former Beidou Township mayor Hong Can-min, highlights the considerable effort required to make it happen. Overcoming the river's foul odor involved diverting wastewater from livestock farms and implementing temporary measures to improve water quality for the race. Despite participants experiencing itchy skin from the water, the event was remembered as a fun and memorable occasion.

This is real? A ditch can hold a dragon boat race.

— Unidentified residentExpressing disbelief and surprise upon seeing the old photograph.

This nostalgic look back has prompted calls for the local government to invest in cleaning up the Dongluo River, drawing inspiration from Taiwan's successful transformation of the Dongshan River into a scenic attraction. Residents express a desire to see the river restored to a state where such vibrant community events can be held again, believing it would be a lasting legacy for local leaders.

It was unprecedented. Although the water was very smelly, many participating athletes' skin would itch, but we still felt it was 'very fun' and unforgettable to this day.

— Ke Hong-jiA local cultural historian recalling the event and the conditions at the time.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Liberty Times in Chinese. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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